Expansion-back binder.



UNITED STATES Patented August 18, 1903.

EDWARD T. A. AKASS,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

EXPANSION-BACK BINDER.

SEECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 736,340, dated August 18, 190,3.

Application filed October l1, 1902. Serial No. 126,851. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern: i

Beit known that I, EDWARD T. A. AKAss, a

`citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Expansion-Back Binders, of

which the following is a specification.

. This invention relates to improvements in means for removably securing separate leavessuch as letters, circulars, and the likeor groups of leaves-such as pamphlets, magazines, and the likeor inserts of 'any kind between suitable durable covers.

One object of my invention is to provide an expansible back which can be enlarged or restricted in width to suit the combined thickness oi' the inserts.

A further object is to provide a means for removably securing the inserts which will be simple, strong, durable, and compact, and by the latter I have special reference to the back of the binder, which I make-to t up snugly against the inserts.'

I accomplish the objects of the invention by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a View from the inside of my binder in an open position with the leaves removed, but showing the binding-cord in operative position; Fig. 2, a perspective view of my improved binder` containing a number of pamphlets,the view showing the covers opened and the binding-cord loosened, so as to let the back of the binder away from the pamphletbacks to showthe man ner in which the cord is laced to secure the latter; Fig. 3, a detached side view of the binding-rod having loops to engage the cord; Fig. 4, a perspective view of the clamp i' or holding the ends of the cord, and Fig. 5 a view from the inside of a modified form of cover in open position.

Like characters of reference indicate like parts thoughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, 6 6 represent the covers, each of which has a tongue 7, extending from one end of said cover to the middle of the latter measured longitudinally thereon and thence. extending outwardly a distance nearly equal to the width of the cover, so that the area of the tongue is approximately oneh alf ofthe area of the cover of whichit is a part.

The opposite end of each cover from the end having the tongue is provided with a pocket 8, which is formed between an inner and an outer thickness of material from which the cover is constructed. The two covers are assembled by placin g the tongue of one within the pocket of the other in the manner shown in Fig. 1, and this construction provides a pairof covers which are connected by a hack formed of the two tongues which can be moved in or out to make the back variable in width. The material of the covers and tongues will be of a flexible nature to give free hinge-like action in opening and closing.

Laid between the two thicknesses of the covers, adjacent to the inner edges of the latter, are the wire rods 9, having the U -shaped bends 10, which are pressed through suitable slots formed through the inner thickness of the cover. These projections 10 form` loops through which a cord 1l is threaded back and forth between the two covers in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The cross-strands 12 of said cord are passed through perforations or suitable loops or eyelets of theinserts to be bound between the covers. In the drawing VFig. 2 these inserts are shown as the pamphlets 13, each of wh ich is provided with a wire rod like that shown in Fig. 3, the loops 10a of which are passed out through the slotted back of said pamphlet, and the binding-cord 11 is shown.` The inner edges of the covers are drawn tight against the outer rear edges of the outside pamphlets, and the tongues of the two covers, sliding into the respective pockets of said two covers, adjust the width ofthe back to the requirements. The ends of the cords are secured by slipping them under suitable clamps, here shown as the wire clamps 14 of known construction. The ends of the cord Amight be secured byother means-as for eX- ample, by bringing the ends together and tying themand it is not desired, therefore, to limit the invention to the particular means shown, though for cheapness and convenience it is preferable.

The construction thus far described contemplates the use of flexible covers; but where stii covers are desired I use the construction shown in Fig. 5, in which .l5 15 are the stift threaded through said loops in the manner covers, of any usual and suitable material,

IOO

and 16 a back connecting said covers, of a suitable liexible material. This is not an extension back. Secured, preferably, to the flexible back, close to the edges of the covers, are wires similar to that shown in Fig. 3, having the loops 17. The wires are secured between the material of the back 16 and a covering-strip 1S, which is glued to 16. The strip 18 has suitable perforations, through which the loops 17 are projected. 19 represents a wire or metal strip which is passed through the loops17 and locked by bending the ends in, as shown by the dotted lines. The crossbars 2O of the wires are passed through the loops or eyelets of the inserts to be bound between the covers. These inserts are not shown in the drawing Fig. 5, but will be understood as to construction from what has been previously said. A eXible cord, like that used in Fig. 1, may be used in place of the wire, if desired. It is not desired, however, to limit the extension-back to one having iiexible covers, as stili covers with an extension-back may be produced in a substantially similar form and construction as above described for iexible materials.

Having thus fully described my invention,

y what I claim as new, and wish to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a binder having an expansible back, a pair of covers each having a tongueand a pocket, the tongue of one cover taking into the pocket'of the other, means for drawing the adjacent edges of the covers together and inner edges, eyelets along the inner edges on the inner sides of the covers and a iieXible tie threaded through the eyelets of the inserts and of the covers to removably secure the inserts and to adjust the width of the4 back of the cover thereto.

3. In a binder having an expansible back,

a pair of covers each having a tongue and a pocket,the tongue of one cover taking into the pocket of the other, bars secured to the covers adjacent to the back edges of said covers, said bars having loops projecting inwardly from the covers to form eyelets, inserts placed between the covers said inserts having eyelets and a iieXible tie threaded through the eyelets oi' the covers and of the inserts and means for securing the ends of the ties.

- In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, at Indianapolis, Indiana, this 22d day of September, A. D. 1902.

EDWARD T. A. AKASS. 

